Asad, son of mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and shooter Ghulam — both wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case of Prayagraj and carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh each — was on Thursday killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force (UPSTF) team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Navendu and Vimal in Jhansi. From the operation, sophisticated foreign-made weapons were recovered, police said.
Confirming the encounter news, police said that both had planned to attack the police convoy which was bringing Atiq to Uttar Pradesh. "The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against the mafia. The result of this policy is before everyone today. We had information that to help the accused Atiq and Ashraf escape there could be an attack on the police convoy bringing them back to UP in the case (Umesh Pal murder case). In view of this information, teams of civil police and special forces were deployed," UP Police's Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said.
The police team recovered one 1 British Bulldog revolver of 455 bore, a Walther P88 pistol of 7.63 bore from possession of Asad and Ghulam following the encounter that took place in Parichha Dam police station area of Jhansi. According to reports, a total of 42 rounds were fired during the encounter at Babina road in Jhansi.
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Guddu Muslim trapped
After the encounter of Asad and Mohammad Ghulam, now Guddu Muslim, another accomplice of Asad, has also been gheraoed by the UP STF in Meerut who has been constantly changing locations. UP STF is actively raiding places to catch Guddu Muslim.
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When Atiq Ahmed was informed about encounter
Tears welled up in the eyes of Atiq and Ashraf inside the court as soon as they got the news of Asad's encounter. Both started crying inside the court, reports said. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were produced in Prayagraj CJM court today in the Umesh Pal murder case. In the court today, UP STF sought remand of both for questioning.
According to the police, Asad had shot Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of then BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his home in Prayagraj's Dhoomanganj area on February 24 this year.
A few days ago, shooter Ghulam's house was bulldozed by the Yogi-Adityanath government.
According to sources, the marriage of Atiq's son Asad was fixed with the daughter of Ayesha Noori. The two got engaged last year. Atiq's son Asad was involved in the shootout case of Umesh Pal. A reward of five lakh rupees has also been declared for him.
Police have already arrested Dr. Akhlaq, husband of Atiq's sister Ayesha Noori and sent him to jail.
